CONTEMPORARY FICTION (ZIMBABWE / DIASPORA)
The Train House on Lobengula Street by Fatima Kara, 2023
R340 from Love Books
Fatima Kara’s debut novel about the Kassims of Bulawayo and their world, will leave you longing for part II (luckily, it’s on its way). It draws on Kara’s upbringing in the southwestern Zimbabwean town and offers an evocative glimpse into being part of the Indian community there in the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s. This is a warm-hearted and compelling family saga that tackles everything from colonial rule to the contemporary fashions of the times. Sarah Buitendach
CONTEMPORARY FICTION (NIGERIA)
Blessings by Chukwuebuka Ibeh, 2024
R380 from The Book Lounge
Blessings is a poignant queer coming-of-age novel. It follows Obiefuna, a young Nigerian boy struggling to reconcile his sexuality with the rigid, heteronormative expectations of his society. Facing cruelty from schoolmates, violence from his father, and possible rejection from family and friends, Obiefuna’s journey is marked by both painful challenges and moments of tender young love. A heartfelt and insightful novel, Blessings skilfully explores themes of identity, acceptance, and the complexities of living authentically amid societal pressure. Nokwanda Mngxitama